Chily Expeditions

Monday, February 18, 2013

Getting ready to head south....September 2012

Goodness! Where did the time go? (rhetorical question). Okay, this has got to be the longest period of time between blog entries since starting this thing. I would like to say that I almost gave up on this thing as I didn't think I could get caught up adequately. However, as I was looking back at older entries, I realized how much I enjoyed reading them. This appears to be more of a journal for Kirk and I ( I do all the journaling) with the hopes that our family and friends also find some fun and/or joy in reading it. I will do my best to relay what has transpired in the past 6 months without leaving out too many details. At least adding the highlights of what we really want to look back on when it's all said and done.

Mom's house
About one month before leaving Iowa, we moved to the Union Grove Campground (from the Outback Campground in Toledo) closer to Kirk's mom in Gladbrook. He was able to spend a lot more time with her before we left, and help her with things around the house. I know she appreciated it, and I hope she realizes how much he truly enjoyed being able to do those things. Kirk loves his mother! We did have a nice cookout at her house. Kirk grilled Iowa chops, and made his yummy jalepeno poppers (which were almost too hot as we used Julie and Mike's "way too hot" jalepenos). I will digress here and say that I cleaned those peppers and froze them. My hands were numb and tingling for 2 days. While at Union Grove, there were many workers staying there in their campers. They were contracted with the company putting in the huge power windmills. Those things are amazing!

Kirk and his mother, Mavis (i love her name) in her backyard.

Can it get any better than this? (another rhetorical question)!!

Elena and Jim's visit
Also, while at Union Grove Campground, Elena and Jim (sister and brother-in-law) spent a night in the cabin while visiting their daughter, Jodi and her family in Marshalltown. If you are interested in a cabin on the lake, this has got to be one of the most "coolest" cabins with a view that we have seen so far in our travels. Also, one of the most reasonably priced. We had a great time visiting with Jim and Elena, cooking out, and enjoying the campfire. As usual our time together was too short. I really do miss my sister! and you too Jim.

Having a good time with Jim and Elena.

Nice campfire....think I even got to use the poker Dan and Amy gave me. :)

Our site at Union Grove Campground near Gladbrook, Iowa.

Ben and Nicki's
Now on to the Marsh. We spent our last weekend in the midwest visiting with Ben and Nicki and the babies, Isaac and Bella. Kristy, Robyn, and Ady also came out to the Marsh from the Cities for the weekend. Harvest was just beginning and we were excited to see that part of the Marsh. We didn't actually see the harvest, but did get to see the preparation for it. It's a amazing process and more work than I ever imagined. Makes one enjoy their cranberries just a little bit more. Ben drove us around the bogs and explained what they would be doing during harvest. We spent "quality" tech time together and just enjoyed being together and playing with the grandbabies.

Gorgeous cranberries....ready for harvest!

Ady getting in target practice while at the Marsh.

Even the little one's have devices...and know how to use them. "quality time".

Ady, Robyn, and Isaac tooling around on the Marsh.

One last visit with Mason on our way South
Kirk and I said our good-byes to all in the midwest and headed south. However, we couldn't just drive by Des Moines, and being so close to Granger, without stopping and saying one last good-bye to that new grandbaby, Mason, and, of course his mother, Lindsey. Dad, Nate was working so we missed him. Mason had already made some gains on the growth chart in the short time since we had seen him last. I think Grandpa Kirk is just slightly attached to this little one. And Mason seems to recognize him with all his smiles. It won't be long and we'll be back, and little Mason will be close to walking by then.

One proud Grandpa Kirk.....and Mason Kirk.

The cutest 3 week old smile.....this one was for Grandma Reina :)

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Welcome Mason Kirk

Mason Kirk, newborn son of Nate and Lindsey is finally here! He arrived at 0853 on 8/31/12 and weighed 8 lbs 3 oz. He is perfect. Mason's arrival kicked off Labor Day weekend. Kirk and I drove down to Des Moines when I got off work to meet the little guy. He is so handsome and mom is doing great. We also went down on Saturday and Sunday. Mason and Lindsey were able to go home on Sunday after a little billirubin setback, but as long has he wears his "glow worm" pads, he should be just fine. Kirk grilled burgers, hotdogs, and brats for everyone greeting Mason at his new home. All the grandma's were there, including great grandma Mavis (Kirk's mom), also all the grandpa's. We had a great time. Hopefully, Lindsey will get some rest now.

Being it was Labor Day Weekend, Dan, Amy and their friends Mike and Julie also camped at the Outback. We were able to cook out with them on the campfire on Saturday night after seeing the new grandbaby that day. Amy bought this neat little swivel grate for the campfire so you can cook on it. It's adjustable (up and down) and I'm pretty sure Kirk and I need one now. Then our weekend neighbor, whom we just met that morning brought over a cast iron dutch oven with homemade apple crisp that his wife made and was cooked over a campfire. OMG! Now that was some good stuff...I'm pretty sure I need a cast iron dutch oven now so I can make some good stuff like that. The campground was packed with lots of activities for all the families. Kirk and I really didn't get to enjoy the activities as we needed to see that new grandbaby while we could.

Papa Kirk and Mason Kirk Nelson.

Proud parents....what a cute family!

Great Grandma Mavis loves her a baby boy.

Four generations..Daddy (Nate), Mason, Great Grandma Mavis, Papa Kirk.

This family is glad to be home!

Amy and her Oasis....Dan is here somewhere. Labor Day Weekend at the Outback.

Dan and Amy's new camper.

We are extremely blessed to have wonderful families and great friends. Two of those friends are Dan and Amy of Gladbrook, Iowa. I'm not exactly sure how to describe them, except that you couldn't meet two nicer, funny, thoughtful, people anywhere. They bought a new camper and spent their first weekend in it in the site next to us at the Outback in Toledo, Iowa. Now you have to know that prior to this camper, they had a pop-up camper, that when they slept in it, had to sleep on opposite ends to keep it level, or from tipping over, or something like that. Regardless, it was an experience that finally got them to look for something different. They spent the weekend, learning all the in's and out's of their new camper, cooking out on the campfire, and just sitting around the campfire at night and enjoying each other's company. They are a hoot. Oh yes, I do have to mention that they gave me a "poker" (inside joke) of my very own, to use with all our campfires. I'm not sure how Kirk and I went this long without a campfire poker....really!! Thank you so much guys.

Dan, Amy, and Paige ....They are so cute!

Adyson is 9 years old...YAY!

I took an assignment in Toledo, Iowa after leaving Prairie du Chien. Kirk and I arrived in Toledo on Thursday and decided to stay at the Outback Campground and Resort in Tama. Tama and Toledo are like two small towns in one. They have a Fareway grocery store, so Kirk is excited, as he loves their meat department. Remember, Kirk loves to grill. We got all settled in and left the next day for Minnesota to help Ady celebrate her birthday.

Adyson celebrated her birthday in many ways this year. However, I think this is typical every year for her birthday. The one Kirk and I attended was for family and close adult friends of hers that have been a part of her life so far. Kirk and I drove up on Friday and returned home on Sunday. Chuy and Lily went with us ( Lily loves the girls and misses them). Kirk, again, was in charge of grilling. And, as usual did an exceptional job with the burgers, brats, and jalepeno poppers. We had more than enough to eat and had a great time. Ben, Bella, and Isaac also stayed at the house, so the weekend was perfect with all the family there. Although, we did miss Nicki (Ben's wife) as she had another birthday party to attend on her families side. It was so fun to see the girls and Ady's friends and spend time with everyone.

Yummy food for the party....thank you Papa Kirk!

Ben and Isaac partied out and hanging out!

Adyson's mom and Bella getting ready for the party...Bella loves a good time.

Lily at our new spot in Toledo.

Chuy waiting to go outside after getting settled in Toledo

The Happy Birthday Girl....Sooooooooo Beautiful!

Bev and Al's Luau

Our stay in Prairie du Chien came to an end July 22 as the company I was contracted with hired a full time perm SLP. Since I'm a traveling SLP, I realize that that is the nature of the game, so I guess I'm never really surprised when that happens, and I do look forward to our next adventure. The thing with my job in Prairie though, was that I was still fairly close to the kids and grandbabies, and to some really special friends that I had not seen in years. Kirk and I were able to hit the Mississippi River again on an "adult only" boat outing with our friends Bridget and Jason, and also Stacy and Maury. Jason is an excellent boatsman, and Bridget an awesome boatswoman (not sure that is a real title, but she is absolutely great). I will really miss her.

Before leaving Prairie, we also attended Bev and Al's (Kirk's sister) wedding reception, a Luau, at their new home in Nashua, Iowa. Bev is totally into flamingo's, even has a tatoo of one on her leg, so the Luau had a few flamingo scattered about, to say the least. Kirk was in charge of grilling the pork loin, and I was to take random pics of the day. It was a gorgeous day, and everyone had a great time.

The day after the Luau....Courtney, Gena, Bev, Al, Mavis (the mom), Kirk, me.

Bridget and Jason.....we just love them so much!

Stacy and Maury....red solo cup!

The girls....back at the RV.

Our house warming gift to Al and his flamingo lady!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Nicki's 30 years old!!! SURPRISE!

Cousins taking a break from playing and just hanging out....snackin'.

Avery, could you just be any more adorable!!!

He's a happy boy!

Ady's handmade bracelet...with help from Neva's Cricket.

Bella wearing her new bracelet and looking pretty for the camera.

Getting ready to take off with Grandpa Brian in the Buggy.

THE BUGGY!

Isaac, Ady, and Bella....A meltdown-free weekend!

Cool Man! Like father, like son!

And one night we had spaghetti!

Okay, so Nicki's 30th birthday was the reason I returned to The Marsh. However, you wont find much of the party weekend in this post, even though I heard they had a BLAST!! I do keep secrets....What happens on the Marsh, stays on the Marsh...just saying! My part in helping with this Surprise party, was to assist in watching the babies and Adyson so this would be a child-free party. I was fortunate to be able to stay at Neva's (Nicki's mom) with the kids, while she also watched Dani's (Nicki's sister) 3 month old, Avery. Neva is the perfect hostess. Bella and Ady made bracelets with Neva's help. All the kids watched The Lorax..the cartoon, umpteen (is that a word?) times, went for a ride with Grandpa Brian in the "Buggy", and did a great job of wearing us out. Best part though, is that we did not have one "meltdown"....YAY!! We had a great weekend at Neva's Bed and Breakfast....I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to explore The Marsh!

Friday, July 20, 2012

Summertime 2012

This has got to be one of the hottest Summer's ever in Wisconsin and surrounding states. Because we weren't able to find a long-term RV spot for my Arpin assignment, Kirk took the RV to Red Bay, Alabama to have some work done on it. I was fortunate enough to be able to stay with Ben and Nicki (son and daughter-in-law) and continue working while Kirk was there. Ben and Nicki were so great, and I was able to spend some quality time with them and the grandbabies, Bella and Isaac. Kirk and I are doing the full-time RV thing because we want to travel and be together, so since we weren't able to do that for this assignment, I took a job in Prairie du Chien, WI and gave my 2 weeks notice to Arpin. I was so sad to have to leave the kids, but Prairie had RV campgrounds with full hook ups and monthly sites where Kirk and I could be together. I need to mention that while up by Arpin, I saw 3 black bears, one of which we chased in the truck as he was on the marsh. We also went trolling in the boat on the marsh waters and watched a beautiful sunset.

Adyson stayed with me at Ben and Nicki's while my two girls, her mom and aunt, went to a retreat. She stayed for a week. I took her back to the Minneapolis and spent the weekend with them all. Isaac celebrated his 1st birthday on May 20th. He is just so darn cute!

Kirk and I took the RV on Memorial Day weekend to Illinois to help celebrate Alyssa's (niece) graduation from RN school, Andy's (nephew) graduation from law school, and Karla's (niece) baby shower. What a weekend. We had a great time! While there, we were able to also visit with my sister Elena and her husband Jim, my brother Rudy and his wife, Bev, Angela, my sister, some very good friends Bird and Sherry, and many numerous other family members and friends.

Father's Day weekend, Kirk and I met in Monmouth, after not seeing each other for 3 weeks, for the annual Golf Tournament at Gibson Woods in memory of my brother Bob, who passed away from cancer in 2007. It was a sold-out event with family, friends, storms, and good times. Proceeds from the event went to ICS scholarships.

The next weekend we drove to Gladbrook, Iowa for the Corn Carnival and Kirk's 40th class reunion. Kirk got to ride on the class float in the Corn Carnival parade while I sat with his family, took pictures, and watched the kids pick up candy thrown into the crowd from the parade participants. It's funny how it's called the "corn" carnival, yet the corn isn't ready as it's only June, and what little corn there is comes from Florida or California...weird....and we're in Iowa, corn capital of the world...REALLY? Oh well, it's their party (I'm sure politics plays a part in this somewhere). Anyway, Kirk had a great time at his reunion, and was able to catch up with some old classmates. I had a good time too.

For the 4th of July, Kristy, Robyn, and Ady came to the campground for a few days on their way to Illinois. They also brought Caleb, a very close 4 year old friend of the girls. The weather was pretty much in the 100's while they were here, so trying to keep cool staying inside the RV with the air was cozy! We did swim at the campground pool quite a bit which was mostly standing room only.

Our first weekend here in Prairie, we went to Rossville and had a much awaited prime rib with Bridget and Jason. I used to work with Bridget when I worked in Decorah 10 years ago. She is one of my BFF's! The next day we all went on a boat ride along with their kids Drew and Kinsey, and Stacy (former co-worker) and her daughter, Katie. We had a great day on the river. And the Summer's not over yet!!!